Does homemade mosquito repellent work? What to know as more people get mosquito-borne illnesses (2024)

Mosquitos don’t just cause annoying, itchy bites — they can also spread potentially life-threatening infectious diseases, like eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus and dengue fever.

At least five states have seen cases of eastern equine encephalitis, also known as EEE, this year, as Massachusetts tries to contain its first outbreak since 2020. The rare virus can cause a severe brain infection, which killed a New Hampshire man earlier this week.

West Nile virus, the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S., started to spread earlier than expected this year, experts previously told TODAY.com. At least 33 states have reported cases totaling 289, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC also issued a health alert this summer, warning of rising cases of dengue fever, a tropical disease that half of the world’s population is at risk of contracting, including the Southeastern U.S.

With several weeks left in mosquito season, it's crucial to take precautions to prevent getting bitten, such as wearing mosquito repellent.

Are homemade mosquito repellants safe? What is the best mosquito repellant? Are there ways to prevent mosquito bites naturally? TODAY.com spoke to a few experts to find out.

Does homemade mosquito repellent work?

No. The CDC and Environmental Protection Agency recommend using only EPA-registered insect repellent to protect against illnesses that mosquitoes can spread.

“In order to be effective, mosquito repellents need active ingredients that ward off mosquitoes,” Dr.LindaYancey, an infectious diseases specialist at Memorial Hermann Hospital, tells TODAY.com.

But there is no way to get the needed concentrations of these natural ingredients at home because the repellants require industrial equipment that none of us have in our kitchens, she says.

Homemade mosquito repellent ingredients

Common ingredients for homemade mosquito repellents include apple cider vinegar, witch hazel and essential oils, such as rosemary, lemongrass or peppermint.

But the effectiveness of natural ingredients that are not EPA-certified is unknown, according to the CDC. As a result, you cannot be sure that making a homemade mosquito repellent with the common ingredients will adequately protect you from insects or for how long.

What ingredients are in the most effective mosquito repellents?

“Importantly, check if the product label includes an EPA registration number (because) unregistered products have not been evaluated for effectiveness,” Dr. Kartikeya Cherabuddi, professor of infectious diseases and global medicine at University of Florida, tells TODAY.com.

The EPA provides a convenient search tool to find the right one for you, he notes.

There are many different products on the market, but experts recommend looking for these active ingredients found in EPA-registered insect repellents:

• DEET
• Picaridin
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• IR 3535
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

Common mosquito repellents that people apply on their skin have either DEET or picaridin, Yancey says.

Also consider treating clothing with 0.5% permethrin to help ward away mosquitos especially when traveling, experts say.

“Permethrin can be used to treat clothing that can keep away mosquitoes even through several wash cycles,” Yancey adds.

But the CDC reminds permethrin products should never be used on the skin.

DEET, picardin and permethrin are all effective at keeping mosquitoes away, but they do have some advantages and disadvantages, Yancey adds.

DEET repels ticks in addition to mosquitos, though people may find picardin smells slightly better than DEET and is less oily, but picaridin does not protect against ticks, Yancey says.

Dr. Alison Ehrlich, principal investigator at Foxhall Research Center in Washington, D.C. and dermatologist, highlights a plant derived product that can be an effective repellent.

“Oil of lemon eucalyptus which is derived from the lemon-scented gum eucalyptus plant, is a repellent that can be effective,” she said. “The specific active chemical ingredient is calledp-Menthane-3,8-diol, or PMD.”

“For children less than 3 years, avoid products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol (PMD),” Cherabuddi adds.

Ehrlich points to this website from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help select a repellent for children.

Some other factors to consider when selecting an effective mosquito repellant:

• How long the protection lasts
• How often to reapply
• Adult or child using the repellent
• Personal preference of a natural or pharmacological product
• If the product provides simultaneous tick protection

What are natural ways to prevent mosquitoes?

First, think about how to control mosquitoes both inside and outside the home.

“The most helpful step is to empty any collections of water around the home, however small, including flowerpots, saucers, toys, buckets, bottles, etc.,” Cherabuddi says.

The CDC suggests checking for stagnant water in containers about once a week.

Cherabuddi also recommends:

• Using screens for doors and windows (and periodically checking for any holes that need repair)
• Using foggers and outdoor insect sprays
• Minimizing time outside at dusk, which has the most mosquito activity for some species

The CDC also recommends using air conditioning when possible.

Next, Yancey suggests physically avoiding the mosquitos by:

• Sleeping inside with the windows closed
• When outside, staying in screened-in areas (like porches and netted tents)
• Avoiding outdoor activities that bring you into contact with mosquitoes

If you go outside, wear long but loose-fitting clothes since mosquitoes can bite through tight fitting clothes, Cherabuddi says.